Fenerbahçe faced Eyüpspor at the Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Stadium on December 20, 2024, where both teams battled to secure valuable points. The match concluded with Fenerbahçe losing grip on the championship chase as they left with only one point from this tightly contested match, ending in a 1-1 draw.
The game kicked off with both teams showing strong determination, and by the 26th minute, Eyüpspor took the lead with Ahmed Kutucu's expertly placed shot. His goal stemmed from some clever play initiated by former Fenerbahçe player Caner Erkin, who set up Kutucu for the finish past Fenerbahçe’s goalkeeper, İrfan Can Eğribayat.
Fenerbahçe, whose fans expected to see their team secure all three points to maintain pressure at the top of the league, quickly sought to respond to the setback. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Youssef En-Nesyri found the back of the net with less than a minute to go before the break, leveling the score at 1-1. En-Nesyri dodged defenders to bury the ball past Berke Özer, the Eyüpspor goalkeeper, bringing Fenerbahçe back on level terms.
The second half began with Fenerbahçe attempting to leverage their momentum from the late first-half goal. They created several chances, but struggled to convert, hitting the woodwork on one occasion when Dusan Tadic’s effort clattered off the crossbar. Despite dominating possession and pressure, they could not find the winner.
Eyüpspor, meanwhile, was eager to reclaim the lead and produced some dangerous counter-attacks. Mame Thiam nearly provided the hosts with another goal after breaking free from the defenders; he managed to bypass Eğribayat but failed to put the ball on target from a tight angle.
Aside from the on-pitch action, the match was marred by controversy when Arda Turan, the Eyüpspor head coach, received a red card for protesting against the referee when Fenerbahçe equalized. His vehement dissent came after he believed there was foul play leading to the goal.
The match was highlighted not only by the scoreline but also by the card count, with players from both sides receiving numerous yellow cards, illustrating the competitive and tense atmosphere Among the players, seven yellow cards were issued throughout the game, indicating the high stakes as both teams played to secure their league positions confidently.
By the match's conclusion, Fenerbahçe remained at 36 points, trailing behind league leaders Galatasaray, who hold the first position by five points. Eyüpspor, with 27 points now, reinforced their bid for European competition places as they maintain their standings among the top teams.
This draw was both a setback for Fenerbahçe's title aspirations and a morale booster for Eyüpspor as they demonstrated the ability to hold their own against traditionally dominant Fenerbahçe, showcasing exciting moments of play and resilience.
The upcoming fixtures will prove significant for both teams, as Fenerbahçe gears up for their next match against Hatayspor, hoping to recapture winning form, whereas Eyüpspor will face challenges of their own as they prepare to clash against Antalyaspor.
